Spain Prove Lamine Yamal Is Their Secret Weapon to World Cup Glory

Three Key Takeaways As Toothless Spain Miss Lamine Yamal's Magic

This was far from the start Spain had envisioned heading into their Group H opener against Cabo Verde. Luis De la Fuente's squad were broadly expected to dispatch the tournament newcomers with ease on their way to greater challenges at this World Cup. It was not to be.

Spain, fielding their side without Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams from the outset, struggled in possession against a team that could not have been more determined in their defensive approach.

Despite generating an xG of 2.29 and fashioning numerous clear-cut opportunities, Spain failed to find a way through—partly due to the extraordinary performance of 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha—and became increasingly frustrated as the contest wore on.

Even Yamal's introduction from the bench in the second half couldn't unlock Cabo Verde's resolute defense and, ultimately, FIFA's 67th-ranked nation earned the ecstatic celebrations that will be etched in memory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, a visibly deflated Spain squad faces some serious reflection ahead of their clash with Saudi Arabia on Sunday. One poor result can be forgiven, but a repeat showing will not be acceptable.

Here are Sports Illustrated's three key takeaways from the match.

Spain's Dependence on Yamal Has Never Been More Apparent

The intention was to bring Yamal and Williams back into the fold gradually this summer following their respective injury layoffs. That plan may now require revision.

While Spain possesses the personnel to retain the ball indefinitely, there is simply no adequate replacement for the game-altering, defense-splitting creativity that Yamal provides out wide. The youngster's directness was a decisive factor at Euro 2024 two years ago and he has since become central to Spain's entire attacking identity.

Spain may lean heavily on Yamal and, to a lesser degree, Williams—what side wouldn't?—but a more defined Plan B is needed for breaking down disciplined opponents who back themselves to withstand patient, predominantly sideways buildup play.

Víctor Muñoz could offer an additional outlet to reduce the pressure on Yamal as he works toward full fitness, but it's no overstatement to say Spain will not lift this World Cup without their talisman driving them forward.

Match Summary

Lessons From Switzerland

Spain can draw encouragement from their sole World Cup triumph back in 2010, when the tournament favorites suffered a stunning opening-day loss to Switzerland in South Africa.

That unexpected result sparked debate that Vicente Del Bosque's continent-conquering squad wasn't as formidable as believed and that tiki-taka was, in reality, overrated. Yet Spain bounced back to win their next six games—conceding just once more throughout the tournament—to claim the World Cup crown.

In 2022 as well, eventual champions Argentina suffered an embarrassing 2–1 defeat to unfancied Saudi Arabia in their opening fixture, before ultimately turning their campaign around.

Any declarations of Spanish football's demise today would be wildly premature—especially given the expanded World Cup format's leniency toward slow starters—and the European champions may well respond with fury on Sunday.

Cabo Verde Aren't Here to Make Up the Numbers

Spain's lack of cutting edge will dominate headlines in the days ahead, but Cabo Verde are the true story here.

The Atlantic island nation with a population of roughly 530,000—smaller than at least six Spanish cities—delivered a heroic collective effort to stifle FIFA's second-highest ranked side.

To a man, Bubista's squad proved they are no easy opponents and are entirely deserving of their place in this expanded World Cup.

Vozinha, the 40-year-old goalkeeper currently plying his trade in Portugal's second division, cemented his status as a World Cup cult hero alongside the likes of Guillermo Ochoa with seven outstanding saves. Captain Ryan Mendes pressed relentlessly throughout, while Irish-born Pico Lopes consistently threw himself in the way to deny some of the planet's finest attacking talent.

Spain will encounter more technically gifted opposition this summer, but they won't face a more tenacious one.